Hugh Clapperton

Hugh ClappertonHugh Clapperton

By María López

Hugh ClappertonHugh ClappertonBain Hugh Clapperton was a Scottish naval officer and Bain Hugh Clapperton was a Scottish naval officer and explorer of West and Central Africa.explorer of West and Central Africa.Clapperton was born in Annan, Dumfriesshire.Clapperton was born in Annan, Dumfriesshire.He gained some knowledge of practical mathematics and He gained some knowledge of practical mathematics and navigation, and at thirteen was apprenticed on board a vessel navigation, and at thirteen was apprenticed on board a vessel which traded between Liverpool and North America.which traded between Liverpool and North America.In 1814 Clapperton went to Canada, was promoted to the In 1814 Clapperton went to Canada, was promoted to the rank of lieutenant, and to the command of a schooner on the rank of lieutenant, and to the command of a schooner on the Canadian lakes. In 1817, when the flotilla on the lakes was Canadian lakes. In 1817, when the flotilla on the lakes was dismantled, he returned home on half-pay. In 1820 Clapperton dismantled, he returned home on half-pay. In 1820 Clapperton removed to Edinburgh, where he made the acquaintance of removed to Edinburgh, where he made the acquaintance of Walter Oudney, who aroused his interest in African travel.Walter Oudney, who aroused his interest in African travel.He died in April of the 1827 in Sokoto.He died in April of the 1827 in Sokoto.

Hugh ClappertonHugh ClappertonFisrt Journey: AfricaIn 1814 Clapperton went to Canada, was promoted to the rank of lieutenant, and to the command of a schooner on the Canadian lakes. In 1817, when the flotilla on the lakes was dismantled, he returned home on half-pay. In 1820 Clapperton removed to Edinburgh, where he made the acquaintance of Walter Oudney, who aroused his interest in African travel.

Hugh ClappertonHugh ClappertonWalter Oudney was appointed by Lord Bathurst, then colonial Walter Oudney was appointed by Lord Bathurst, then colonial secretary, to proceed to Bornu as consul, accompanied by Hugh secretary, to proceed to Bornu as consul, accompanied by Hugh Clapperton. Clapperton. Clapperton and Oudney parted company with Clapperton and Oudney parted company with Denham to visit the Hausa states. Denham remained behind to Denham to visit the Hausa states. Denham remained behind to explore and survey the western, south and south-eastern shores explore and survey the western, south and south-eastern shores of Lake Chad, and the lower courses of the of Lake Chad, and the lower courses of the rivers Waube, Logone and Shari. Clapperton and Oudney rivers Waube, Logone and Shari. Clapperton and Oudney reached Bornu where they were well received by the sultan, and reached Bornu where they were well received by the sultan, and after remaining in the region until 14 December, they again set after remaining in the region until 14 December, they again set out for the purpose of exploring the course of the Niger River.out for the purpose of exploring the course of the Niger River. However, only a few weeks later, Oudney died at Murmur on However, only a few weeks later, Oudney died at Murmur on the road to Kano. Undeterred, Clapperton continued his journey the road to Kano. Undeterred, Clapperton continued his journey alone through Kano to Sokoto, where by order of alone through Kano to Sokoto, where by order of Sultan Muhammed Bello he was obliged to stop, though the Sultan Muhammed Bello he was obliged to stop, though the Niger was only a five-day journey to the west.Niger was only a five-day journey to the west.


Exhausted by his travels, he returned by way of Zaria Exhausted by his travels, he returned by way of Zaria and Katsina to Kuka, where Denham found him barely and Katsina to Kuka, where Denham found him barely recognizable after his privations. Clapperton and Denham recognizable after his privations. Clapperton and Denham departed Kuka for Tripoli in August 1824, reaching Tripoli on departed Kuka for Tripoli in August 1824, reaching Tripoli on 26 January 1825. Their mutual antipathy unabated, they 26 January 1825. Their mutual antipathy unabated, they exhanged not a word during the 133-day journey. The pair exhanged not a word during the 133-day journey. The pair contined their journey to England, arriving home to a heroes contined their journey to England, arriving home to a heroes welcome on 1 June 1825. An account of their travels was welcome on 1 June 1825. An account of their travels was published in 1826 under the title published in 1826 under the title Narrative of Travels and Discoveries Narrative of Travels and Discoveries in Northern and Central Africa.in Northern and Central Africa.


Immediately after his return to England, Clapperton Immediately after his return to England, Clapperton was raised to the rank of commander, and sent out with was raised to the rank of commander, and sent out with another expedition to Africa, the sultan Bello of Sokoto another expedition to Africa, the sultan Bello of Sokoto having professed his eagerness to open up trade with having professed his eagerness to open up trade with the west coast.the west coast.

Clapperton continued his journey, and, passing through Clapperton continued his journey, and, passing through the Yoruba country, in January 1826 he crossed the the Yoruba country, in January 1826 he crossed the Niger at Bussa, the spot where Mungo Park had died Niger at Bussa, the spot where Mungo Park had died twenty years before.twenty years before.


ReferenceReference

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugh_Clappertonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugh_Clapperton

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugh_Clapperton

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Hugh Clapperton